Telegraph system.



1. H. BELL.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 0cr.29. 1917.

1,300,326, Patented Apr. 15,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

do/m H. 6 e// J. H. BELL.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

\ APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29. 1917.

1 ,300,326, Pafented Apr. 15,1919.

2 SHEET$-SHEFT 2.

a/ as M EIL J0 y T 46/ iii 1 5 ig //7l /7/0/.' John /7( 5.?

JOHN H. IliELL, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTERN ELECTRIC COM?ANY, INCORPOR4,TED;OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A COBPORATIQN OF NEW YORK.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern.

? Be it known that I, JOHN H. BELL, a citizen of the United States residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have inventedacertain new and useful Improvements in Telegraph Systems, of which the following is a full, c ear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to telegraph systems, and more particularly to telegraph repeater systems.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an organization of apparatus for repeating telegraphic impulses from one line section into another line section in a manner to rectify the repeated impulses true to predetermined form irrespective of distortc'd or mutilated condition of the impulses from which translation or regeneration takes place.

A further object of this invention is to reduce the quantity of apparatus to a minimum, by an arrangement of interconnections between a limited number of electro-inechanisins in a manner to render suc-h mechanisms capable of performing a. maximum amount of Work.

A feature of this invention is the provision of means for readily converting the system to operate either as an impulse-rectifying repeater or as a so-called lever or direct-point repeater.

A further feature of this invention provides means for transferring the system from the work of handling message impulses to the transmission of impulses suitable for balancing operations in connection with adjustments necessary in the main tcnancc of duplex equipments, or for the synchronizing of multiplex distributers at terminal stations. i

In connection with telegraphic. service, and particularly in the working of long lines whercon repeaters are necessary, it is well known that current impulses are acted upon by deleterious influences which have a tendency to distort, mutilate and, in particularly unfavorable situations, to cause deletion of the impulses. Such unfavorable effects may 'be due to extraneous causes, such as induction from. adjacent circuits'the action of eartlrcurrents or from direct causes,sucli as inferior or Varying line in.'

sulation, improper duplex balance, and nu merous other transient irregularities which Specification or Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

Application filed October 29, 1917. Serial No. 199,046.

circuit irregularities may affect theim-' pulses in diii'erent Ways, a few of which may b be mentioned, as either reducing or lengthening the normal period of an impulse, rendering the first or last portion of an impulse fluctuating and uncertain, varying the potential thigough different portions of an impulse, establishing excessive potentials for certain impulses and reduced potentials for other impulses, effecting either lead or lag in time phase relation to symmetry of transmission, and fluctuations of impulses where by uncertainty of operation, as so-called chattering effects, are manifested in the impulse-receiving devicesi The present invention contemplates the employment of distributor means having short intervals of contact for the reception of impulses and long intervals of contact for rectification and retransmission of impulses. A plurality of electroi'esponsive current receptor and storingunits be:

ing interconnected with the distributer means in a manner to continue relatively active in reperforming predetermined operations in connection with the reception, storing, rectifying and retransmission of im pulses from one line Section into another line section.

Suitable switching devices provide that the system may be readily converted into either a direct-point repeater or into an impiilse-rectifying repeater.

Additional switching devices are also provided for readily conditioning the system to either operate to work message impulses or to transmit impulses of alternate polari- 'it'ies to enable adjustments of circuit balance to be eii'ected. I

This invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, in which only so much of a telegraphic equipnient has been shown as Will be necessary to a clear understanding of the present invention.

The drawing, Figure 1 illustrates an equipment suitablefor a repeater station, \vliile Fig. 2 illustrates an'alternate arrangement of the equipment. shown in Fig.1.

Briefly described, the service features of,

iii)

referencecharacters 1 and 3 (Fig. 1), be

terminated in duplex apparatus at A and B; the equipment located at A serves for the reception, rectification and retransmission of impulses from the line 1 to the line 3, while the equipment at B operates in a similar manner to receive, rectify and retransmit impulses from the line 3 into the line 1. Since the equipments A and B are typical one of the other, the same characters of reference will be employed in so far as may be expedient in designating like or similarly functioning parts.

A five-blade control or master switch unit C is adapted to be operated manually in establishing the system to perform either impulse corrective repeating or direct-point repeating. A group of relays K controlled through distributer sections R, S and L perform impulse storing and repeating op erations. i A manually operated three-blade switching unit D serves to convert the system to substitute automatic transmission of alternate positive and negative impulses for message impulses for balancing and adjusting of the duplex circuits. Ground switches 47 and 57 are employed for balancing purposes, as well understood, while telegraph keys 45 and controlled by switches 44 and 54:, respectively, may be employed for establishing'irianual or Morse service between the repeater station and respective terminal stations which may be assumed as present on the lines 1 and 3. An undulator or a VVheatstone receiver 75, under control of a leak switch 74, may be connected thereby to respectively serve as a pilot impulse-receiving means for observing retransmitted impulses in either direction.

In ,-'more specifically describing the features of this invention, the ope 'ations taking place for direct-point repeating will first be considered. For this service the master switch C (at A) is positioned as shown in the drawing. Let it now be assumed that an impulse of positive current arrives over the line 1, whence traverses the coils of a polarized relay 2 and" an artificial lineAL to earth. This eurrentaction will move the armature of the polar relay to the side indicated by the conventional positive sign, whereupon a circuit will be established from a grounded source-of positively poled line current (33, a blade 9 of the switch (I, right-hand contacts of the relay 2, blades (3 and 7 of the switch 3, a conductor 43, switch 44- (in position shown), conductor 46, switch 47 (in position shown) ,'.and conductor 48 tothe apex of theduplex'equipment of the line 3. As well understood in the art, current through this circuit divides equally through the line relay 4, one portion continuing by ,way of the artificial line AL to earth, while the remainder traverses the line circuit 3 to a distant station. Neutralization of the divided currents renders them non-effective in the relay 1; the line portion is effective. however, to establishing oper tion of suitable receiving devices at a distaut station on the line section 3. In response to a second incoming impulse from the line 1. say, of negative polarity, the relay 2 will be biased to the side indicated by the conventional negative Sign, thereby completing a circuit from agrounded source of negative current (it, blade 5 of the switch C, left-hand contacts of the relay 2, thence over the path already traced to the linesection 3. It will be obvious that direct-point repeating may takeplace from the line section 3 in a similar manner over circuits corresponding to those already traced. In repeating from the equipment at B, it may be pointed out that the repeated impulses traverse a conductor 53, switch 54, a conductor 56, switclr57 and conductor 58 to theapex or neutral outgoing point of the duplex equipment at A.

For the lever or directpoint repeating operations just described, it will be clear that the form of repeated impulses will be governed entirely by the armature of the receiving polarized relays 1 or 3; therefore distorted impulses in an originating line. section will be correspondingly repeated into the second line section, except that such distortion may be increased through the repeating operations. In turn, the repeated impulses may be accumulatively acted upon by adverse conditions present in the second line section to such an extent that unsatisfactory service or perhaps complete failure of reception at a distant receiving station over the line 1, thereby biasing the armature of the relay 2 against its positive or right-hand contact. A circuit may now be traced from a source of local current ()5, the blade $7 of the switch C, contact of relay 2, blade 3 of the switch C, blade 19 of switch 1), to a collector ring 10 of the distributer section B. The characters R, S and L respectively indicate receiving, scndin and local sections or divisions of a distributor, and as shown may be considered as a developed view of a rotary distributer. A brush 11 adapted to travel from right to left .over the distributor path 10l2 of the section R in synchronism with impulses from the line 1, may be assumed to be passing over a segment 13 in phase with the. arrivel of the impulse just traced to the collector ring 10. This impulse accordingly traverses the brush l1, segment 13 and a bus conductor indicated by alike numeral, the winding of a relay 40, a bus conductor 49,-th'ence to earth over a blade 8 of the switch C. On responding to completion of this circuit, the relay 10 establishes a self-locking circuit which extends from a source of local current 66, a resistance unit 42, a bus conductor 41-, and the left-hand contacts of the relay 40, continuing through the winding of this relay over the circuit already traced, thereby substituting the source 66 for the source 65. Disregarding for the present the operations now taking place at the distributer sec tions S and L, attention will be directed at once to. additional impulses arriving from the line 1. Assuming that a negative impulse arrives to establish negative bias of the line relay 2, the armature of this relay will then be connected to-earth over the blade 5 of the switch C,-and since the bus conductor 49, which serves as a common operating circuit for each of the relays K, is connected to earth at the switch C as already traced, a relay 50 remains inert or unafi'ected by the brush 11 arriving over a segment 14, common to this relay, in phase with the arrival of the negative impulse from the line 1. Assuming now the arrival of a posi tive impulse from the line 1, the relay 2 will be biased to positive, thereby completing a circuit from the local source 65 to the collector ring 10, as already traced. From this point the circuit continues over the brush 11,

segment 15, a bus conductor, indicated by a like numeral, the winding of a relay to the grounded bus conductor 49. Onoperav ing, the relay 60 establishes a self-locking circuit from the source 66, by way of a resistzince unit 62, a conductor 61, the lefthand contacts of the relay 60, and the winding of this relay to the grounded bus 49. An impulse of, say, negative current from the line 1, will now bias the'relay. -2 to its negative side, thereby rendering the brush 11 ineffective at the moment it passes over a. segment 16 included with a relay 70, in a manner similar to that described for the re lay 50.

Directing attention to distributor section S, it will be understood that a. brush 21 travcling in phase with the brush 11 will have already passed over segment 23, but in passing thereover the brush 21'completcd a circuit from a source of positively poled line current 37, the right-hand forward contacts of the relay '40, a bus conductor 23 and a correspondingly numbered segment at S, the brush 21, collector ring'20, a conductor 39, blade 7 of the switch C, tlIGIICQftO the duplex equipment of the line 3' over the path already traeed in describing the direct-point repeating operations. A circuit next established through the distributer S extends from a negativelypoled-source of current 38,- the right-hand normal contacts of the relay over respective ones of 50, a bus conductor 24: and a correspondingly numbered segment at S, the brush 21 to the collectorring 20, whence the circuit extends to the line "section 3, as already traced. In passing over a segment 25, the brush 21 includes the source 37 with the line 3 over cir cuits prepared at the relay 60 correspond ing with the circuits already traced, as under control of the relay 40. In turn, the brush 21 establishes a circuit from the negative source 38 by way of circuits under control of relay and segment 26 to the line 3 in a manner'corresponding with the circuits already traced as controlled by the relay 50.

It will be clear that the operations just traced result in 'the successive reception of four alternately positive, and. negative impulses from the line section 1, the momentary storing of these impulses at the relays K, and the substitution therefor and retransmission of impulses from the line current sources 37 and 38 to the line section 3, the retransmitted impulses being rendered perfect and corresponding in length to the time required by the brush 21 in passing path 22. i

In taking up the operations effected by the distributer section L, it will be understood that the brush 31 of this section travels in phase with the brushes 11 and 21. Accordingly, at the moment the brush 31 arrives over a segment 33, a relay-shunting or releasing'circuit will be completed from the source of current 66, the resistance unit 42, blade 17 of the switch D, bus conductor. 33,

to the similarly numbered segment of path 32 at L, thence over the brush 31 to av grounded collector ring 30. It will be noted that from the switch D the circuit just traced establishes a short-circuit on the locked winding of the relay 40, thereby permitting this relay to release. On arriving 'at the segment 34, the brush 31 completes a circuit from a source ofcurrent 67 by way of a resistance unit 52 to earth. Since the relay 50 is inert at the present time, the establishing of its releasing shunt circuit at the section L," as described, is accordingly an idle operation. The brush 31 next establishes a circuit from thesource 66, the resistance unit (32, blade 18 of the switch D, a bus conductor 35 and a correspondingly numbered segment at L to the grounded collector r-ing30, thereby short-circuiting and releasing the relay 60. At the segment 36, although the brush 31 grounds the source the segments in the 67 through a resistance unit 72,. no action -uter section R and the sending section and occupy the middle portion only of the available space. This reduced length and central positioning of the segments at R result in utilization of the central portion only of an impulse arriving from the line section 1. Elimination of the first and last portions of an impulse insures that the least mutilated part, which is. ordinarily the central portion. will be effective through the repeater. The method of interconnecting the relays K between the receiving distrib- S provides that the connections be arranged to give the section R an advance or lead of one segment, as compared with the correspondingly associated segment in the section B. This insures that each relay of the group K will have ample time to operate and come to rest or settle before. the line battery controlled thereby is transmitted by the distributer section S. In turn, the

interconnections between the relays K. and the local or releasing distributor section L,

provide that correspoluling connections to ing released through the section L.

In the matter of lead between the three distributor sections, it will be appagent. that the same relative results may be attained *by interconnecting the relays K to correspondingly associated segments in direct alinement with relation to the three sections R, S and L, and correspondingly positioning or setting the three brushes in such a manner that the brush 21 will travel one segment to the rear of brush 11, and in turn brush 31 will follow one segment behind the brush 21.

At the path 12 of section R, each of the four conductors 13, 14, 15 and 16 connect in derived circuit to alternate fifth segments,-the conductors 23, 24, 25 and 26 connect in a similar order to-the segments of path 22 at S, while the conductors 33, 34, 35 and 36 connect in a like manner to the segments of path 32 at L. Since each distributer section is provided with twenty segments, it will be apparent that twenty incoming impulses from the line 1 may be received during the time the brushes 11, 21 and 31 are traversing,their associated twenty segments. Assuming that twenty successive positive impulses are received from thej'iine 1, each of the relays K would acresistance unit 4:2,

direction are independent of repeating operations in the other direction, therefore, messages may be undergoing direct-point repcating one way, at the same time that re-v is progressing by the brush 0rpeating impu[Se-correcting method in the other direction.

Referring to the twitch D, by manually moving this switch to its r ght-hand position, the. blade 19 (llSPOlit'i. cut the collector ring 10 of the distribute-r section R, while blade 17 disconnects the plurality of segments 33 of the path 32 at section l1 and conn'ectsthe source of current (in through the its: conductor 13 and winding of the l9 to theconductor 49, grounded over the blade 8 of the switch C, which mustalso be in its right-hand position at this time. The blade 18 of the switch I) disconnects the plurality of segments 35 at thc'distrilmter section L, and includes the source of current 66, through the resistance unit 62, conductor 15 and the winding of the relay 60 to the grounded conductor 4:9. It will be clear that the two cir; cuits just trzured-from the sourcetio will retain the relays 't0 and 60, respectively, operated, while the operating circuits for the two relays 50 and 7 0 will continue disabled through the disconnected condition of the collector ring 10, as described. During the period the equipment continues in the p0- 'SltlOH described, the brush 11 at R travels cordingly respond five times, send out a repeated positive impulse through the section S ,five times, and be released five times through control of the section L..,

It will be understood that the impulses re ,peated may be of any suitable'rode unit corn:

idly through its regular path, While the brush 2]. at S transmits alternate positive and negative impulses to the line 3. Such alternations of current correspond with the actuated position of the relays 40 and (30,

whereby the positively poled source of ciir-' rent 37 is included with respective pluralities of segments 23 and 25 of the path 22 at S, 'While the inert condition of the relays 50 and 7 0 includesvthe source of negative current 38 with the respective pluralities of segments 2t and 26 of the path 22 at S. In the matter of service results, the brush 31 at L travels idly through its usual path during such transmission of alternately positive and negative impulses.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawing, the alternate arrangement shown therein is in general the same as the arrangement shown in Fig. 1. The difference between the two systems is present in the employment of'five relays K instead of four relays as shown in the first arrangement, increasing the number of se ments in each or the paths 12, 22 and 32 o the distributor to twenty-five .(although it will'be obvious thatany number of segments forming an even multiple with five may be employed), and dispensing with the switch D and the service covered thereby. In considering this alternate arrangement, it will be understood that it represents an equipment which may be substituted for either the A or the B portion of the equipment shown in Fig. 1, or each of the latter equipment groups may be replaced by a group in accordance with the alternate arrangement. I

For convenience of comparison, corresponding characters of reference or uniform progressions thereof have been employed to indicate similar parts in each figure oi' the drawin Therefore. by assuming a substitution of F 2 for the portion A of Fig. 1, it will be obvious that an understanding oi the foregoing description of the first arrangement will render an inspection of the drawings so combined sufiicient to establish a'clear understanding of the alternate arrangement. Accordingly, detailed or further description of the alternate arrangement will not be necessary.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph repeater system, sources ofv c 'urrent, distributer equipment comprising several segmented divisions and a plurality of relays each interconnected to be effective from a plurality of segments on each of the distributer divisions, a plurality of line sections, means efl'ective through said distributor equipment to repeat telegraphic impulses between said line sections, and switching means to permit repeating operations toibe carried on between said line sections independently of said distributor equipment.

2. 11: a telegraph system, the combination with a plurality of line sections; sources of current; distributor equipment comprising three segmented divisions respectively corresponding with receiving, sending and clearing out operations, and a plurality of relays each interconnected to be eii'ective from a plurality of segments in each of said distributor divisions; and means effective through said distributor equipment for repeating telegraphic impulses between said line sections. I

3. The combination Witha plurality of duplexed telegraph lines, of a repeater station therefor comprising sources of current and for each of said" lines a plurality of sequentially operated oo'ntactor divisions, electroresponsive switching means interconnected between pluralities of the contactors on each of said contact/or divisions, impulse receiving means for each ot' said lines to jointly act with respectively associated ones of said contactor divisions and said electro responsive switching means to repei-tt telegraphic signals between said lines, and switohing'means to disable said eleetroresponsive switching means in enabling predetermined ones of said contact-or divisions to transmit predetermined changes of pote tial from said sources of current to said lines in substitution of said repeating operations.

l. The combination with a plurality of telegraph lines; source of current; distrihw ter equipment comprising three sequentially operated contactor divisions corresponding with receiving, sending and clearing out operations, and a plurality of relays each interconnected to be effective from plurality of the contacto'rs on each of said distributer divisions; means jointly eiiective with saiddistributer equipment for repeating telegraphic impulses between said iines; and means controlled by said clearing out distributor division for disabling said relay.

5. In combination with a first and second telegraph line, a repeater station comprising sources of current, a line relay for the first line, a multipoint distributer equipment including a plurality of storing relays jointly active with said line relay for repeating telegraphic impulses from said first to said second line, means for interconnecting each of said storiiig relays in order that each action thereof may be effective from respective pluralitics of points on said distribute-r, and shunt-paths controlled by said distributer equipment for disabling said storing relays.

6. In atelegraph repeater system, sources of current, a plurality of line sections, distributer means comprising a. plurality of segmented contactor paths, a plurality of relays. each interconnected to .joperatively respond from a plurality of segments in a first one of said contactor paths, means controlled by'cach one of said relays to vary the current condition at a-plurality of segments on a second one of said contaetor paths, line relay means jointly active with said distributor means to repeat telegraphic impulses between said line sections, and av plurality of shunt paths each effective from a plurality of segments on a third one of said distributer sections for respectively disabling said relays. I

- 7. In combination with a plurality of telegraph lines, of a repeater station providing-a first and second method of repeating telegraphic impulses between said lines, sources f current, impulse receiving means responsive to current changes in one of said lines, means controlled by said impulse receiving means to establish corresponding current changes in another one of said lines comprising the first repeater means, distributer equipment comprising sequentially operated act jointly with the respectively associated distributer means and the electroresponsive switching devices to repeat telegraphic im-.

pulses between said lines, and means for conditioning said distributer means and said electroresponsive switching means effective to transmit uniformly recurring combinations of impulsesin substitution of repeated message impulses.

9. In a telegraph repeater system, sources of current, a first line section, a line relay therefor, a plurality of relays, a first distributer means, means jointly controlled by said line relay and said first distributer means for selectively controlling the operation of said plurality of relays in a manner corresponding with telegraphic impulses in said first line section, second distributer means, means controlled by said plurality of relays for selectively establishing changes of current with said second distributer means corresponding with impulses in said first line section, a second line section, means for transmitting the described current changes from said second distributer means to said second line section, a third distributer means for disabling said plurality of relays, and means for interconnecting said plurality of .relays to be respectively effective from a plurality of points-on each of said distributer means. I

10. In a telegraph repeater system, sources of current, a first line circuit, a first dis tributer section comprising a plurality of sequentially operated contacts, a plurality of relays each interconnected to a plurality of the contacts of said first distributer section, a line relay controlled by impulses in said first line circuit acting With said first distributer section to selectively control the operation of said plurality of relays, a second distributer section comprising a plurality of sequentially operated contacts, means controlled by each oi? said plurality of relays to establish current changes on a plurality of the contacts on said second distributer section, a second line circuit, means for transmitting the described current chan es from said second distributer section to said second line circuit, a third distributer section comprising a plurality of sequencomprising a plurality of sections and a. pluality of relays each interconnected to be effective from a plurality ofjpoints on each section of saiddist-ributer, and means for translferring said line relay from direct-point repeating to act jointly with said distributer equipment in the reception, storing, regenerating and retransmissionof impulses in repeating signals from the first to the second line section. v v

12. In a telegraph repeater system, sources of current, distributer equipment comprising several sections each provided With a plurality of sequentially operated contacts and a plurality of relays each interconnected to be effective from a plurality of the contacts in each one of said sections, a first and a second telegraph line, means jointly active with said distributer equipment for repeating telegraphic impulses from said first to said second line, and means for continuigig a disabled condition of certain ones andaii 0perated condition of certain other ones of said plurality of relays totransmit impulses of alternating polarities in substitution of repeated impulses.

13. In a telegraph repeater system, sources of current, a distributer equipment comprising a plurality of segmented con-tactor paths, a plurality of relays each interconnected to pluralities of segments in each of the contactor paths, a resistance unit connected in the operating circuit of each of the relays, a first and a second telegraph line, means jointly active with a first-and second contactor path of said distributer equipment for repeating impulses from said first to said one of said relays to be operated at one moment through. saidrecgiyging division, at a later moment to be efie ctive with said sendmg division and at a still later'moment to be disabled by said clearing 'out divisiom'a f plurality of line sections, and means elfect1ve through sald distributer equipmentand genome saiil relai s to i'epeat telegraphic signals beopemtion vas carried out at iifiei'ent mo- 10 tween saldfirst and. second telegraph lines. ments through said distributerdivisions, and

1-5,'I a,te1 gmph repeating system,so1 1r ces means eneetlve through said distributer of. cliii'ent, distributer means COIIIPIlSlIlg means and. said relays for repeating tele- 5 several segmented sections corresponding grephio signals between said line sections.

with receiving, sending and clearing out op- In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe 16 erations, .a' iilurality of line sections, a plumy name this fith day of Ocmber, A. D. ra'lity .of relays each interconnected to serve 191?;

in the receiving, sending and clearing out JQHN H. BELL.- 

